Golf ball marker

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a golf ball marker having a first marker in which a through hole is formed, and a second marker which has a pin portion arranged so as to be inserted into the through hole, wherein the first marker and the second marker are structured detachably by a detachable portion which is provided in at least one of the first and second markers, and a height of the first marker is greater than a height of the second marker except the pin portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to Japanese patent application2012-224406 filed on Oct. 9, 2012, the complete disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a marker of a golf ball.

2. Description of the Related Art

When marking a golf ball on a green, a marker is used in playing golf.There are various kinds of markers. For example, a marker inJP-A-2000-70422 is constituted by a marker portion which is placed onthe ground, and an insertion pin portion which is inserted into theground. A marker in JP-A-11-309228 is constituted by a disc portion anda projection portion. Since the marker portion in JP-A-2000-70422 andthe disc portion in JP-A-11-309228 are both thin and flat, and havesmall size in a height direction, they are inferior in visibility from adistance.

On the other hand, JP-A-2003-305144 is structured such that markershaving the same shape are piled up in a vertical direction so as toimprove the visibility from the distance. Specifically, a leading endfitting portion of a shaft portion which is provided vertically from acenter of a flat plate portion is fitted to a fitting hole formed in anupper surface of the flat plate portion, whereby a plurality of markersare extended in a height direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is made by taking the actual condition mentionedabove into consideration, and an object of the present invention is toprovide a golf ball marker which is excellent in visibility from adistance in all the periphery and can be used in a part unitcorresponding to a used scene.

The present invention for solving the problem mentioned above is a golfball marker having a first marker in which a through hole is formed, anda second marker which has a pin portion arranged so as to be insertedinto the through hole, wherein the first marker and the second markerare structured detachably by a detachable portion which is provided inat least one of the first and second markers, and a height of the firstmarker is greater than a height of the second marker except the pinportion.

According to the structure, since the marker is large in size in theheight direction, the marker is excellent in visibility from a distancein all the periphery, and the marker can be used as a part unitcorresponding to a used scene. For example, in the case that a bulkymarker is cumbersome, only the second marker having the smaller size inthe height direction is used. Further, only the bulky marker can beused. Further, by employing a simple structure in which the pin portionof the second marker is inserted into the penetrating portion of thefirst marker, it is possible to simply superpose two parts, and it ispossible to prevent a transverse displacement between the both, therebyachieving an excellence in a carrying property.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the detachableportion is constructed by a projection portion which is formed in thethrough hole, and the projection portion presses the pin portion of thesecond marker so as to fix. According to the other embodiment, thedetachable portion is constructed by a projection portion which isformed in the pin portion, and the projection portion presses a wallsurface of the through hole in the first marker so as to fix.

According to this structure, since the projection portion and the pinportion are in contact, and a mutual motion is fixed on the basis of anelastic pressure of the projection portion and/or an elastic pressure ofthe pin portion, the first marker and the second marker can bestructured detachably. In the embodiment mentioned above, it ispreferable that the first marker and the second marker are constructedby a plastic resin material, however, any one or both of them may beconstructed by a rubber material, a plastic material, a metal material,a wood or a mineral, or a combination thereof.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the detachableportion is constructed by a magnetic body which is provided in a topsurface portion (or an upper portion) of the first marker or an innerportion of the top surface portion (or the upper portion), and a metalportion acting on the magnetic body is provided in a main body portionof the second marker, or the main body portion is constructed by themetal portion. Further, according to the other embodiment, thedetachable portion is provided with a magnetic body at least in a bottomsurface portion of a main body portion of the second marker, and a metalportion operating with the magnetic body is provided in a top surfaceportion (or an upper portion) of the first marker, or an inner portionof the top surface portion (or the upper portion).

According to the structure, since the first marker and the second markercan be attached and detached by the magnetic body and the metal portion,the structure is preferable. As the magnetic body provided in the firstmarker, for example, a magnet, a magnet sheet and the like can be listedup.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the detachableportion is constructed by a magnetic body which is provided on a surfaceof the through hole of the first marker, and a metal portion acting onthe magnetic body is provided in the pin portion of the second marker,or the pin portion is constructed by the metal portion.

According to this structure, since the first marker and the secondmarker can be attached and detached by the magnetic body and the metalportion, the structure is preferable. Further, without being limited tothe magnetic body and the metal, magnetic bodies acting on each othermay be respectively provided in the first marker and the second marker.For example, one may be provided with an N-pole magnet, and the othermay be provided with an S-pole magnet.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first maker isconstructed by a rubber material at least in a part or all of a surfaceof the through hole, and/or the second marker is constructed by a rubbermaterial at least in a part or all of a surface of the pin portion.Further, a portion coming into contact with the pin portion of theprojection portion formed in the through hole may be constructed by arubber material.

According to this structure, a function of the detachable portion isconstructed by a surface frictional force between the through hole andthe pin portion. As the rubber material, for example, a natural rubberand a synthetic rubber can be listed up. As the synthetic rubber, forexample, an acrylic rubber, a nitrile rubber, an isoprene rubber, anurethane rubber, an ethylene propylene rubber, a silicone rubber and thelike can be listed up. The synthetic rubber may include one kind or twoor more kinds.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first markerfurther has a projection portion which is extended from a bottomsurface. The projection portion may be provided at one position,however, it is preferable that a plurality of projection portions areprovided.

According to this structure, the marker can be securely placed byinserting the projection portion into the ground surface.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the pin portion ofthe second marker is extended over the bottom surface of the firstmarker.

According to this structure, in the case that only the second marker isplaced on the ground surface, the marker can be securely placed byinserting the pin portion of the second marker into the ground surface.It is preferable that a distance from the bottom surface of the firstmarker to a leading end of the projection portion and a distance fromthe bottom surface to the leading end of the pin portion are the same(for example, 0.1 mm to 30 mm).

In the present invention, the shape of the first marker is notparticularly limited, however, may be formed, for example, as a frustumshape or a polygonal pyramid shape, or a rectangular shape, a circularshape or a polygonal shape in its front view. A shape of a verticalcross section along a center axis of the through hole may be formed as atrapezoidal shape, a stepped shape or a vertical cross sectional shapeof a pyramid, or may be formed as a shape imitating an animal or a shapeimitating a natural object.

It is preferable that the through hole of the first marker is formedlinearly in a vertical direction, however, the through hole may have acurved line, and as a cross sectional shape of the through hole, forexample, a circular shape, a polygonal shape, an oval shape and anirregular shape can be listed up. Further, in the light of aworkability, the cross sectional shape of the through hole is preferablyformed as the circular shape, and the shape of the through hole ispreferably formed as a cylindrical shape or a frustum shape. Further, itis preferable that the through hole passes through a center portion or agravity point portion of the first marker. According to the otherembodiment, the through hole of the first market may extend while beinginclined from the above toward the below, and may be extendedtransversely in relation to the first marker.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the detachableportion is constructed by forming a female thread portion in the throughhole and forming a male thread portion in the pin portion. In thisstructure, the detachable portion is structured detachably on the basisof a screw engagement by the threads.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a height of thefirst marker is preferably equal to or more than half as many again as aheight of the second marker except the pin portion, is more preferablyequal to or more than twice, and is further preferably equal to or morethan three-fold. In the case that the marker is placed on the groundsurface in a state in which the first marker and the second marker arecoupled, a maximum height from the ground surface is equal to or lessthan 100 mm, in the light of a marker function, a carrying property anda manufacturing cost, is preferably equal to or less than 50 mm, and ismore preferably equal to or less than 30 mm. For example, 10 mm and 20mm are exemplified.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a height of thefirst marker from the ground surface in the case that the first markeris placed on the ground surface is listed up, for example, by 5 mm, 8mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm and 30 mm. The height of the secondmarker except the pin portion at this time (the height in the case thatthe second marker is coupled to the first marker) is smaller than theheight of the first marker, and can be listed up, for example, by 1.0mm, 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, 3.0 mm, 3.5 mm and the like.

Further, the other golf marker is constructed by a first marker, and asecond marker which, has a greater height than a height of the firstmarker, a magnetic body is provided in a top surface portion (or anupper portion) of the first marker or an inner portion of the topsurface portion (or the upper portion), and a metal portion acting onthe magnetic body is provided in a main body portion of the secondmarker, or the main body portion is constructed by the metal portion.

Further, the other golf marker is constructed by a first marker, and asecond marker which has a greater height than a height of the firstmarker, a magnetic body is provided at least in a bottom surface portionof a main body portion of the second marker, and a metal portionoperating with the magnetic body is provided in a top surface portion(or an upper portion) of the first marker or an inner portion of the topsurface portion (or the upper portion).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a view showing a ball marker (in a coupled state) accordingto an embodiment 1;

FIG. 1B is a view showing a first marker and a second marker accordingto the embodiment 1;

FIG. 2A is a view showing a ball marker (in a coupled state) accordingto an embodiment 2;

FIG. 2B is a view showing a first marker and a second marker accordingto the embodiment 2;

FIG. 3 is a view showing a first marker according to the other example;

FIG. 4 is a view showing a second marker according to the other example;

FIG. 5 is a view showing a projection portion according to the otherexample; and

FIG. 6 is a view showing one example of a projection portion for aground surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1

A description will be given of a ball marker according to an embodiment1 with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1A shows a ballmarker 1 in a coupled state, and FIG. 1B shows a first marker 2 (a crosssectional view) and a second marker 3 (a side elevational view)respectively. In FIG. 1B, the ball marker 1 is structured such that thefirst marker 2 in which a through hole 21 is formed is coupled to thesecond marker 3 which has a pin portion 31 arranged so as to be insertedinto the through hole 21. A detachable portion is provided in the firstmarker 2. The first marker 2 and the second marker 3 are detachablystructured by the detachable portion. The first marker 2 is formed as ashape that five cylindrical shapes having different diameters are piledup in the order of reducing the diameter. A main body portion 30 of thesecond marker 3 is formed as a flat coin shape (a thin cylinder shape).

In FIGS. 1A and 1B, the detachable portion is constructed by a pluralityof projection portions 22 which are formed within the through hole 21.On the basis of a pressure application of the projection portion 22 tothe pin portion 31 of the second marker 3, the second marker 3 iscoupled and fixed to the first marker 2, thereby preventing the firstand second markers from being disconnected from each other due to ashock. A plurality of projection portions 22 are formed in an innerperipheral surface of the through hole 21. In this case, in FIGS. 1A and1B, one projection portion may be formed along an inner peripheralsurface of the through hole 21.

A height H1 of the first marker 2 is 100 mm (or within 100 mm), and aheight H2 of the second marker 3 except a pin portion 31 is 2.0 mm (orwithin 1.0 mm to 20.0 mm). In FIG. 1A, when the pin portion 31 isinserted into the through hole 21, a leading end of the pin portion 31is arranged in an inner portion of the through hole 21 withoutprotruding out of the through hole 21. In this case, the pin portion 31may be structured such as to stick onto the ground surface by making theleading end of the pin portion 31 protrude out of the through hole 21.

In FIG. 1A, a width (a diameter of a circle) of the second marker 3 isformed as the same magnitude of a width (a diameter of a circle) of anupper portion 23 of the first marker 2, however, the width (the diameterof the circle) of the second marker 3 may be made larger or smaller thanthe width (the diameter of the circle) of the upper portion 23 of thefirst marker 2 without being limited to this. In FIG. 1B, an inletportion 231 for the pin portion 31 in the through hole 21 is formed as around shape or a taper shape so as to easily insert the pin portion 31.

According to the other embodiment, a projection portion may be formed inthe pin portion 31. Further, project ion portions may be formed in bothof the through hole 21 and the pin portion 31. Further, a projectionportion having a convex shape may be formed in any one of the throughhole 21 and the pin portion 31, and a groove portion having a concaveshape or a recess portion engaging with the projection portion may beformed in the other.

Embodiment 2

A description will be given of a ball marker according to an embodiment2 with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 2A shows a ballmarker 1 in a coupled state, and FIG. 2B shows a first marker 2 (a crosssectional view) and a second marker 3 (a side elevational view)respectively. A description will be given of different structures fromthe embodiment 1, and a description of the same constituting elements(the same reference numerals) will be omitted or described briefly.

A ring-shaped magnet 24 is provided in an upper portion 23 of the firstmarker 2 (or is embedded in an inner portion of the upper portion 23). Ametal portion 30 a operating with the magnet 24 is formed in a bottomsurface of the main body portion 30 of the second marker 3. The magnet24 and the metal portion 30 a operate with each other and are detachablyfixed. In this case, as long as the metal portion 30 a is formed atleast in the bottom surface of the main body portion 30 of the secondmarker 3, a whole (or the main body portion 30) of the second marker 3may be constructed by a metal material (a magnetic material).

In the embodiment 2 mentioned above, a penetrating portion is formed inthe first marker and a pin portion is formed in the second markerrespectively. According to the other example, there is a structure inwhich any penetrating portion is not formed in the first marker and anypin portion is not formed in the second marker.

Embodiment 3

The projection portion 22 is provided within the through hole 21 in theembodiment 1, and the magnet 24 is provided in the embodiment 2,however, according to an embodiment 3, the first marker and the secondmarker can be attached and detached without providing any projectionportion 22 and any magnet 24.

A whole of a surface of a through hole in the first marker isconstructed by a rubber material, and a whole of a surface of a pinportion in the second marker is constructed by a rubber material.Accordingly, a frictional force between the surface of the through holeand the surface of the pin portion becomes large, and a preferableattachment and detachment can be achieved.

Further, according to the other embodiment, a part of the surface of thethrough hole in the first market may be constructed by a rubbermaterial, and a part of the surface of the pin portion in the secondmarker may be constructed by the rubber material. Further, the firstmarker may be constructed by the rubber material and the pin portion ofthe second marker may be constructed by the rubber material. Further,any one or both of the first marker and the second marker may beconstructed by the rubber material.

Embodiment 4

According to an embodiment 4, a plurality of projection portions forground surface for inserting into the ground surface are provided in thebottom surface of the first marker in the embodiments 1 to 3 mentionedabove. FIG. 6 shows an example of a ground surface projection portion26. Further, in FIG. 6, a leading end 311 of the pin portion 31 in thesecond marker is extended to the same length as a leading end of theground surface projection portion 26.

Other Embodiment

In place of the detachable portions according to the embodiments 1 and2, the detachable portion may be constructed by forming a female threadportion in the through hole 21 and forming a male thread portion in thepin portion 31.

Further, the shape of the first marker 2 is not limited to theembodiments 1 and 2 mentioned above, but may be formed as a frustumshape in an outer appearance while having a trapezoidal shape in avertical cross section as shown in FIG. 3A, or may be formed as acylindrical shape in an outer appearance while having a rectangularshape in a vertical cross section as shown in FIG. 3B, or may be formedas an irregular columnar shape while having an irregular shape (forexample, a heart shape or a star shape) in a front view as shown in FIG.3C. As long as the first marker 2 is formed with a thickness which canmaintain an outer appearance shape, a cavity (a thickness lack portion)may be formed partly.

Further, the shape of the second marker 3 is not limited to theembodiments 1 and 2 mentioned above, but may be formed as a dome shapeas shown in FIG. 4A, may be formed as a star shape in a front view of atop surface as shown in FIG. 4B, or may be formed as a heart shape (ashape corresponding to FIG. 3C) in a front view of a top surface asshown in FIG. 4C.

Further, FIG. 5 shows an example of a shape of the projection portion22. FIG. 5A forms four convex projection portions 22 which extend in alongitudinal direction of the through hole 21. The projection portion 22may be formed, for example, in a range between one to sixteen. Further,the number of the projection portion 22 extending in the longitudinaldirection of the through hole 21 may be equal to or more than one. Theprojection portion 22 shown in FIG. 5B is constructed as eight bladeshapes which are formed around an inner surface of the through hole 21.The number of the blade shapes is eight in FIG. 5B, however, the bladeshape may be formed in a range between one and sixteen.

Further, the marker 1 may be provided with both of the detachablestructure constituted by the projection portion according to theembodiment 1 and FIG. 5, and the detachable structure constituted by themagnet according to the embodiment 2.

Further, the marker 1 may be provided with the other detachablestructure. For example, the first marker may be provided with a threadhole in a side surface, and may be fixed by pressing a pin portion ofthe second marker by a thread. Further, thread holes may be provided inthe side surface of the first marker and the pin portion of the secondmarker, and the first and second markers may be detachably fixed by arod-like member which can be taken in and out.

1. A golf ball marker comprising: a first marker in which a through holeis formed; and a second marker which has a pin portion arranged so as tobe inserted into the through hole, wherein the first marker and thesecond marker are structured detachably by a detachable portion which isprovided in at least one of the first and the second markers, andwherein a height of the first marker is greater than a height of thesecond marker except the pin portion.
 2. The golf ball marker accordingto claim 1, wherein the detachable portion is constructed by aprojection portion which is formed in the through hole, and theprojection portion presses the pin portion of the second marker so as tofix.
 3. The golf ball marker according to claim 1, wherein thedetachable portion is constructed by a magnetic body which is providedin a top surface portion of the first marker or an inner portion of thetop surface portion, and a metal portion acting on the magnetic body isprovided in a main body portion of the second marker, or the main bodyportion is constructed by the metal portion.
 4. The golf ball markeraccording to claim 1, wherein the detachable portion is constructed by amagnetic body which is provided on a surface of the through hole of thefirst marker, and a metal portion acting on the magnetic body isprovided in the pin portion of the second marker, or the pin portion isconstructed by the metal portion.
 5. The golf ball marker according toclaim 1, wherein the first maker is constructed by a rubber material atleast in a part or all of a surface of the through hole, and/or thesecond marker is constructed by a rubber material at least in a part orall of a surface of the pin portion.
 6. The golf ball marker accordingto claim 1, wherein the first marker further has a projection portionwhich is extended from a bottom surface.
 7. The golf ball markeraccording to claim I, wherein the pin portion of the second marker isextended over the bottom surface of the first marker.
 8. The golf ballmarker according to claim 2, wherein the detachable portion isconstructed by a magnetic body which is provided in a top surfaceportion of the first marker or an inner portion of the top surfaceportion, and a metal portion acting on the magnetic body is provided ina main body portion of the second marker, or the main body portion isconstructed by the metal portion.
 9. The golf ball marker according toclaim 2, wherein the detachable portion is constructed by a magneticbody which is provided on a surface of the through hole of the firstmarker, and a metal portion acting on the magnetic body is provided inthe pin portion of the second marker, or the pin portion is constructedby the metal portion.
 10. The golf ball marker according to claim 2,wherein the first maker is constructed by a rubber material at least ina part or all of a surface of the through hole, and/or the second markeris constructed by a rubber material at least in a part or all of asurface of the pin portion.
 11. The golf ball marker according to claim6, wherein the pin portion of the second marker is extended over thebottom surface of the first marker.